King's message on solidarity with Palestinian people

Manama, Nov 23 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has addressed a message to Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Below is HM the King's message: It is our pleasure to express to you and to the members of your esteemed Committee our profound thanks and sincere appreciation for your efforts and the immense role you are undertaking in defence of the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people and in empowering them to exercise their inalienable rights as well as promoting international awareness to achieve these noble goals. This annual celebration which we commemorate in solidarity with the Palestinian people is an occasion to remind all of us of the responsibility of the United Nations and the international community as a whole towards the Palestinian people and the need to seek a solution to their just cause, especially as their suffering has reached an unprecedented level that requires us to stand by their side in their long-standing ordeal and accelerate the international community’s efforts to assume their responsibilities in this regard. The many illegal and inhuman violations being committed by the Israeli occupation authorities against the Palestinian people would only lead to further aggravation of the conflict, loss of time, foreshadowing grave repercussions and hinders the achievement of peace. Israel is continuing with its violations in defiance of international laws and ongoing illegitimate policies regarding illegal demolition of houses, arrest of innocent citizens, destruction and depletion of the Palestinians’ wealth and construction of further settlements on the occupied territories. This is in addition to its aggression of the sanctity of Al Aqsa mosque, assaults on the holy sites at the hands of extremist groups and the excavation works being carried out by Israeli authorities around the mosque, would lead up to a major disaster at one of the most important Islamic holy sites. The Holy site to which the hearts of Muslims from all the world are attached, as it is considered to be the first Qiblah, the third holiest Mosque and the place of Isra’a and Miraaj (The destination to which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) headed from Mecca and then to the heavens.) We reiterate Bahrain’s firm stance in support of the Palestinian cause to achieve the hopes and aspirations of the honorable Palestinian people through a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative. These resolutions bear witness to the justice of the Palestinian cause and will compel the international organizations, particularly the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP) to exert further efforts for their implementation. We assure Your Excellency that the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue its efforts, in all paths and in cooperation with our brothers and friends, to reach these goals and fulfill the aspirations of all for peaceful co-existence and peace. We also express our full support for all the tangible efforts made by the Palestinian National Authority under the leadership of our brother His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the State of Palestine, and for his hard work towards the promotion of the existence of a Palestinian state and its entities at international forums; Palestine has now become a member of the International Criminal Court and has raised its flag on the headquarters of the United Nations, as an observer state. These historic accomplishments confirm that the achievement of justice and independence is possible, but it is still needs more concerted efforts from the part of the international community, to protect the Palestinians, be fair, firmly stand by their side and compel the Israeli authorities to put a time limit for the end of the occupation of the Palestinian territories. All this should take place in implementation of the United Nations resolutions and the International Quartet’s initiatives that seek a peaceful settlement for the Palestinian cause, halt the inhuman Israeli practices that are inconsistent with the United Nations Charter, the principles of the international law and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949; these are the same practices that represent a flagrant violation of the rights of the Palestinians and a catalyst for hatred that pushes further escalation and increasing reactions. In the end, we wish you and your esteemed committee success, and reiterate our full support of your commendable efforts supporting the Palestinian cause.